{Guest Post} A sparkling New Year!

Hey friends, just popping in to say have a wonderful New Year's Eve! Today's gorgeous guest post is from the talented Renee of RR Designs...

First of all, I’m so excited and honored to be a guest blogger for the very fabulous Lanalou Style – Thank you Lana!

When I think of the New Year, I think of all the sparkling new possibilities that are in store for us – our hopes, dreams and ideas all seem to be renewed and recharged. What better way to toast such an auspicious occasion than to pull out all the stops! Now, in all honesty I will be sitting at home, snuggled up by the fire, drinking champagne with my husband and watching the ball drop in Times Square – since my babysitters somehow ignore my pleading phone calls & texts this time of year.

However, what if I had a Fairy Godmother and she decided to make an appearance on New Year’s Eve? Well, this is how I see it; she would wave her magic wand to transform me from a mommy in polka dot sweat pants and fuzzy socks to a shimmering vision of glamour and style. Of course, she would be happy to baby-sit for the remainder of the evening. Then my husband would wave goodbye and enjoy an evening of celebration until the clock strikes – midnight? Maybe she will work with me on the curfew.

Here is to a sparkling and magical New Year, may yours be filled with health, happiness, love and beautiful shoes!
Renee

Image credits: 1. Giselle Sequin Gown - 2. Champagne Saucers - 3. Quartz Earrings - 4. Chloe Perfume - 5. Judith Leiber Clutch - 6. Miu Miu Crystal Heels - 7. Handmade French Diamond Ring - 8. Champagne Nail Polish - 9. Chantecalle Powder - 10. Laura Mercier “Sequins Lip Gloss”

My Stuff Series

As I'm holiday and not online all day long, I completely forgot that Helena was going to feature me in her "My Stuff Series"! It was up yesterday, so go take a look here! Thanks Helena for including me in this fun series!

Retro loving

Just love the retro feel to this apartment, almost each and every piece tells a tale. This is Marcus Hay, the New York super stylist's, previous apartment. Marcus definitely has an eye for collector's pieces and isn't afraid of colour! My favourite piece is the botanical print hanging above the sofa.

All photography by Jonny Valiant

Brie Harrison

Loving Brie Harrison's new floral pillow line, colourful, retro and fun, perfect for livening up a tired space.

Image credits: first photo via design * sponge, all other images via Brie Harrison

{Guest Post} Alice's Adventures in wonderland

Today we have a lovely guest post from the sweet and talented Gaia all the way from Italy...

Thanks Lana for having me here today!

I'm Gaia from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. As soon as Lana asked me to help her while she's in vacation I immediately accepted. When a friend ask for help I always say "yes, here I am". 

What is it Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? It's my world, it's my store, it's my life.

I've decided to open it almost 2 years ago (in January it will be my second birthday) and since then fantastic things happened to me. I met amazing person, some of them are now real friends that I love, I've opened my online store, starting collaborating with an e-mag Belle Inpiration and many other project are in the air!

I love photography and I'm working on it. I always have my camera in my bag. You never know what you can see when you are outside.

I love to bake and make sweetness for my Mr B and my friends...

For Christmas I've made a bottle of cookies for my blogger friends...

I like to do DIY projects

Paper rosette,

paper pom poms

decorations

I love to collect old jars, domes, vases...

I love to create my own things

Bracelets, headbands, restyling of old ballerinas is my passion!

I love to take care to my store...

I have my on line catalogue and if you are interested  I can send you the link

write me here gaia.borzicchi@gmail.com

that's it!

Those are just few things I love...if you want to see more 

stop by at my enchanted world!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 

Thank you Lana 

Enjoy your holiday!

Dreamy Paris

Beautiful girl and clothing, dreamy lighting and magical setting... what's not to love? Happy Monday!

Photography by Annemarieke van Drimmelen for Marie Claire via Siddartha

Time to relax...

Image via Siddartha

Christmas dinner South African style

Merry Christmas friends! Hope you are having a wonderful time with your families and loved ones. We had a lovely evening with my family last night and of course I had to take a few photos to share with you. My youngest sister and I decorated the table and as you can see it's very much a South African setting, not a drop of snow to be seen! My other sister decorated the Christmas tree, doesn't it look fabulous? Wishing you all an equally fabulous time!

Photography: by me

Almost there!

Are you as eager as this pup below?! Patiently waiting for either Christmas eve or Christmas day to celebrate with your families? We are having a lovely Christmas dinner with my family tonight and then a Christmas lunch with my boyfriend's family tomorrow. I'm looking forward to lots of laughs and happy memories and no doubt lots of delicious food and wine! What have you got planned? When do you celebrate? Are you excited yet?!

Images by Polly Wreford via Sarah Kaye Representation

Don't you just love this photo above with the magical hearts? Taken by the talented Georgianna Lane, pop over for more beautiful photos of her home all decorated for the season. Georgianna's home looks like it's straight out of a Christmas shoot, so gorgeous!

And then we have some photos from two Capetonian readers just for fun! I absolutely love Micky's Christmas tree, totally different to Georgianna's with a more African feel to it! And lastly some tasty looking cookies by Emma, I always love seeing people get creative in the kitchen! Wishing you all a happy and festive day, blessings to you!

You and Me and Everyone We Know Market

Vintage lovers be sure to check out the You Me and Everyone We Know market held at the old Labia Cinema on Orange every Saturday morning. Check out their website for the schedule and pop along tonight to their first night market! Perfect spot for some last minute Christmas shopping for a retro loving friend!

Photography: by me

Photography: by me

Mini hats

Have you noticed how mini hats and fascinators are really big at the moment? Perfect for adding that unique touch to your look, whether it be a fun, slightly eccentric piece or glamorous and elegant, the looks you can create are endless. Lila Richter is a Cape Town based designer who creates the most gorgeous hair accessories. Here are some of my favourite hats she's created for the festive season ahead...

You can see more of Lila's creations over on her website or facebook page, they are really well priced so pop over and treat yourself to a little bit of glam!

Photography: by me

More Christmas wishes!

I've asked three more fabulous bloggers to share their Christmas wishes with us, from a simple stocking filler to the extravagant! Let's hope their wishes come true! First up is the lovely Shari of Little blue deer...

Stocking filler... Melinda Maria cigar ring, I would LOVE to find this little gem in my stocking!
Luxe pick... my dream luxury gift is this Bottega Veneta Chene Python bag. I adore Bottega Veneta, a bit lower profile than Hermes, but the same stunning quality leather goods, so chic!

Thanks Shari! That bag is amazing! Next we have the creative Piper of One sydney road...

Stocking filler... I just think sachets make such a perfect gift - love the color + design on these - wouldn't mind having these in my stocking!!

Luxe pick... I've been coveting this linen day blanket - it just looks so warm & cozy - perfect right now for this snowy weather!

Thanks Piper, I love the look of those linen blankets! And lastly we have the stylish Shannon of The Simply Luxurious Life...

With the holidays upon us, I too have a wishlist that I can't help making during this time of year. One of the things I adore about the holidays is a bit more time to cuddle up with a good book and lose all track of time as well as dressing up for all of the festive parties. Keeping that in mind, here are two things on my list:
Stocking filler... For a purely simple, but in its own way, very luxurious, item:
Books, especially the soon to be released Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange
Luxe pick... Diane von Furstenberg's Maidey dress in camel

Thanks Shannon! I now have another book on my ever growing book wishlist! Fabulous picks from all three ladies, don't you agree? Which of these do you wish would make their way into your home?!

Christmas wishes III

Only a few days left until Christmas, are you all prepared? Hopefully you are and now you have time to relax and enjoy the festivities. I'm 99% there! I've put together some lovely calming images to ease us into the week ahead, I just love this incredible cabin, I could quite happily spend the day there... sipping tea and wrapping Christmas presents! Doesn't it look quite magical?

Image credits: from top left clockwise 1) The New York Times, 2 & 3) A creative Mint for Decor8, 4 & 6) Christmas tree giftcard by Ivy Style, 5) Krista Keltanen

Image credits: Kalle Gustafsson

Image credit: A creative Mint for Decor8

And today we have the talented Kate of Magnolia rouge, sharing her Christmas wishes with us...

Stocking filler... (although granted it would have to be a rather big stocking) is this vintage bobbin door stop... we have so many doors in our new house and the slightest hint of a breeze has them all slamming! I need about 10 of these actually!

Luxe pick... My luxurious item is actually more of an experience... I'd love two weeks of utter relaxation and daily massages with my husband at the Four Seasons Maldives.

Thanks Kate! Can I join you in the Maldives?! It looks amazing, pure bliss....